National urges Aucklanders to submit on fuel tax

Aucklanders should make their opposition heard on the proposal to introduce a new regional fuel tax in Auckland, National Party Transport Spokesperson Jami-Lee Ross and Auckland Local Government Spokesperson Denise Lee say.

“The Auckland regional fuel tax is not needed. The enforcement is complicated, and it will hit Aucklanders in the pocket,” Mr Ross says.

“Under a National Government, we were able to live within our means while still investing in major projects such as the Waterview tunnel, rail electrification and the Western Ring Route.

“The Auckland Council should be applying more discipline to its own finances in order to properly fund core services such as transport. Current funding shortfalls should be the responsibility of council with help from central Government, rather than a new tax on hardworking Aucklanders.”

“Aucklanders are in the odd situation where they are being asked to submit on a new tax where there is very little information available,” Ms Lee says.

“There is no current ability for Auckland Council to implement a fuel tax, no legislation before Parliament to allow it to happen and, therefore, no detail on what this means to everyday Auckland drivers.

“Aucklanders are concerned about the Council wasting money. They need to tell the Council they oppose a new tax which would just let the Council off the hook.”